Agfa Azura

[rotarypower3]

Thanks everyone for the tips, especially SteveAgfa for the informative PM's.

I had a look at the power settings on the platesetter, it's running 100% power at 750rpm. It was running 500rpm on the old Azura's, not sure what power though. But we were having the same issues with the old plates anyway.

We have a job on the press ATM that has a common background plate. All the various books using this common plate equate to about an 80K run. We were getting 15K out of the common plate and that was stretching it. So I thought the only way I could get more "fusing" on the plate was to drop the drum speed. I dropped it down to 400rpm so I'd get a real difference, it took 10mins to expose it at that speed. The Agfa exposure bar was really strong with no difference from one end to the other. On press the guys didn't notice any difference in the print, but last time I checked, they were up to 39K on the one plate!

I just can't believe that Agfa or Screen over here couldn't work this out over the 1 1/2 years we've been running Azura's. I'll have to get the Agfa tech out to find the right balance of power and drum speed. But at least, finally, I can see where the problem lies.


..

[Printservedigital]

"100% power "


You're gonna burn out your laser out using 100% power for there is something drastically wrong if you're having to use 100% laser power , if you have dropped the speed and your getting better results it sounds more like an optical or calibration issue.

[SteveAgfa]

PrintServe...

As you are no doubt aware, Agfa cooperatively certifies
the proper exposure parameters with the CTP device
manufacturer. The guidance given reflects our joint
certification, for that device.

Regards,

[SteveAgfa]

Rotary:

Glad to hear you are getting better results.

However, your initial settings appear to be
correct. For some reason, the delivered
intensity doesn't meet expectations... be
it focus, dirt, etc... but hey - I'm in sales.

As you can see, the wide exposure latitude
of Azura can mask an under-fused plate.

Regards,

[Printservedigital]

Of course Steve, but I've seen also where parameters have had to be changed when Agfa service engineers come in on their service contract and undoubtedly tell us our Laser power needs increasing or our PWM needs adjustment for no other reason other than what seemed to be difference of opinion on what they see on the plate.

Moments after they've gone we have adjusted it back to what works "for us" that I think being the key, however if an Agfa engineer had ever said to me set it at 100% LP I would have thrown him outta the building with an invite to speak to one of the design engineers who taught me, from Strobbe, the company (CTP device manufacturer) that had the deal to design and brand their Kit as Agfa units.

Of course they don't manufacture the drum units but Im 100% certain that they would say the same about something requiring 100%LP as being wrong.

Another question I would ask is does the drum unit use "filters" on it's optics, it could be that if it does the filter setting is wrong or the filter wheel is stuck.

[SteveAgfa]

PrintServe:

Different imaging systems have different operating parameters and laser/optical recommendations.

Not reading all your background, I suspect you have experience with our green Polaris devices. True,
imaging recommendations for this would certainly be different from that of a Screen 4300 thermal laser.

Now, if you have experience with our Advantage line of CTP gear for the newspaper market, perhaps you weren't aware that we brought that to life after our AutoLogic acquisition; the initial units were made in
Wilmington MA USA.

WRT Rotary... I'm now suspecting that the plate gauge could be incorrectly defined - ergo incorrect focus.

These things are best left to the local support experts, as certainly I'm not tech support.

Regards,

[Printservedigital]

Like I initially said Plate focus due to vacuum issues or what you said . plate gauge.


But I agree, Steve until a local tech can "SEE" the workings then it's irrelevant to assume.

My background is Krause LS jet and Drum Green and Violet., Agfa Polaris, Advantage Green and Violet Laser.

And yes I know one of the autologic guys , I worked with him when he got made redundant , set his own company up and worked with Krause.